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A Bangladeshi man who travelled to Russia for a job has returned home paralysed after allegedly being forced into the Russia-Ukraine war.
Rajan, a resident of Kaliganj, said he was sent to Russia after his family paid Tk8.3 lakh to a local intermediary on the promise of a job. Instead, he was allegedly sent to the battlefield.
He said 17 Bangladeshis were killed in a drone strike on the first day. He was also hit by a drone in the waist, leaving him unable to move his lower body.
“After the attack, I lost all strength below my waist. I crawled about four kilometres over four days to reach a hospital in Ukrainian territory controlled by Russia,” Rajan said.
He was later transferred to a hospital in Russia, where he received treatment for 15 days before being taken to the Bangladesh embassy by a doctor. He returned to Bangladesh on August 21 using a travel pass.
Rajan said his family spent 62,000 Russian roubles to bring him home.
His father, Abdul Kader, said the family borrowed money to pay a local intermediary, Lentu Hossain, who allegedly kept them waiting for three years before sending Rajan to Russia in May.
“We have no money left for his treatment. We want those who sent my son to the war to be punished,” he said.
Rajan’s mother, Mahfuz Begum, said her healthy son returned unable to walk, leaving the family struggling to survive.
The local agent, Abu Taher Lentu, denied any fraud, saying Rajan was sent to Russia legally through his nephew Sohel.
Kaliganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Rezwana Nahid said people should remain alert to brokers when seeking jobs abroad and added that the administration would explore possible assistance for Rajan.